Go Race! Thursdays in Charleston

As the weather turns hotter and the pace of life slows down in the Lowcountry, many of us back off a bit on our training for a month or two. We’ll continue to run but we might set track workouts aside, change our tempo runs so they’re a little less strenuous, and maybe back off on the mileage a bit. Then the thought hits us - Will I lose fitness? Will I slow down? and for those that are competitive - What’s my competition doing?

You can stay sharp while dialing back your mileage and intensity by throwing some racing in to the mix. There’s not much racing on Saturdays in the summer. (Who would want to race on Saturday when there are too many other fun things to do outside?) Good news - There are three race series on Thursday evenings. They’re all 5K races but each has a different flavor.

My favorite races are the ones that are well marked, well timed, and where the race director is passionate about the sport and genuinely likes for runners to have a great experience. These races all fit that description.

Bulldog Breakaway

No Frills Against the Clock

Citadel Track coaches Jody Huddleston and Kris Kut put this series on to help raise money for the Citadel Track Team. With the exception of a short dash across an athletic field, this is all on pavement. For those that track the Charleston racing scene, that is no longer the norm. You’ll run around the campus and then run around Hampton Park where it is closed to traffic and it’s very well shaded. Back around the campus one more time and you’re done. Races start at 6:30 pm and awards are done by 7:30 pm. The first race was last week but the series is still a bargain.

Race the Landing

Bring the Family

Lisa Deaton and her crew of volunteers put this on to raise money for Charlestowne Landing. A beautiful setting, mostly in the shade, the course meanders throughout the park. Plenty of volunteers are on hand to direct you, hand out water, and cheer you on - and feed you afterwards. This race includes races for children before the 5K and dinner afterwards. This is a very family friendly event.

Daniel Island Happy Hour 5K

Running + Happy Hour = A Quixotic Trail Series

Join Virginia Wininger and the Onshore Racing crew for this trail run along the waterfront and through the trees on Daniel Island. 80% of the proceeds benefit the SC chapters of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. As a bonus, the Daniel Island Farmers Market is on Thursday evening right next to the start. Happy hour at a Daniel Island location is where the awards are handed out afterwards. The evening is as much about the cold beer afterwards as it is about running!